Best Middle Schools in Zip Code 80227

Middle Schools in zip code 80227 consist of two schools, Carmody Middle School and Bear Valley International School, both serving grades 6–8 in the Denver area. Neither school is a standout in absolute terms, as both rank in the bottom third of Colorado middle schools and score well below state proficiency averages. Of the two, Carmody is the relative standout, ranking higher in each of the past three years (311th vs. Bear Valley's 315th in 2025–2026). Carmody also has lower chronic absenteeism (37.0% vs. 48.1%), higher ELA and math proficiency, and a lower free/reduced lunch rate. However, Bear Valley has shown more momentum, improving its state rank from 365th to 315th over two years, while Carmody's most recent rank declined notably.

Key metrics reveal a close academic contest with important resource differences. Carmody enrolls 550 students versus Bear Valley's 313, but Bear Valley has a much lower student-teacher ratio (10.8:1 vs. 16.9:1), offering more personalized instruction. In 2025–2026, Carmody edges Bear Valley in overall ELA proficiency (32.0% vs. 30.7%) and math proficiency (23.5% vs. 22.9%), but Bear Valley slightly outscores Carmody in 8th-grade science (23.7% vs. 23.0%) and 8th-grade math (31.2% vs. 24.7%). Both schools trail Colorado state averages significantly (ELA 44.7%, math 37.3%, science 35.4%). Bear Valley's student body is considerably more economically disadvantaged, with 77.6% qualifying for free/reduced lunch versus 51.8% at Carmody, and its chronic absenteeism rate of nearly half its students is a major concern that likely suppresses test scores.

The most telling insight is the district context. Carmody belongs to the highly rated Jefferson County School District No. R-1 (ranked 24th of 115 districts), while Bear Valley is in School District No. 1 (Denver, ranked 71st). Despite this, the schools are nearly identically ranked statewide, meaning Carmody underperforms its strong district by a far wider margin (20–22 points in proficiency). Carmody's scores dropped sharply in ELA and science year over year, while Bear Valley improved in math and science, particularly in 8th grade. For parents, there is no clear academic winner; Carmody offers slightly stronger current achievement and lower absenteeism, while Bear Valley provides smaller classes, improving momentum, and a more competitive recent ranking.